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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-20 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2021 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, October 20, 2021, with the following members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. The meeting was live streamed. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Kim Wertz provided public comment and asked for more explanation of board action item #3, agreement with Contact Helpline. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. The minutes of the October 13, 2021 meeting were reviewed. These will be decided upon in the afternoon approval session. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, explained that item #3, the agreement with Contact Helpline is a company we contract with for PA211 services. PA211 services are for individuals in need of assistance with housing, mental health or crisis issues. Ms. Gray continued that 211 is answered during the day by a Franklin County staff member but if the staff member is busy, and during evenings and on weekends, the line is answered by Contact Helpline who has a spreadsheet available that lists services in Franklin County that they can provide to the caller. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon approval session. Chairman Keller explained that this is the date for the Board to provide guidance and direction to staff on the 2022 preliminary budget that was presented to them last Wednesday by Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director. Chairman Keller said that his suggested approach is similar to the direction he has given in the past if we are projecting to finish the year under budget. He suggests balancing the budget using savings from this year and if necessary unrestricted cash reserves to end with 60 days of cash reserve at the end of the year. Although he would prefer 60-90 days in reserves. He added that he believes all the requests amounted to over $8 million. With the target he suggests, funding all requests will not be possible. He directs Carrie and her team to develop some priorities in personnel and capital expansion and if appropriate to say yes have a lot of comments except for the GIS Specialist II under Information Technology Services. Due to greater demands from municipalities and the public, he would be supportive of that position going into 2022 but that would be a matter for the Salary Board to decide. He continued that with the positions at the jail he understands the change things so he is not ready to consider additional correctional officer positions at this time. Chairman Keller turned it over to his colleagues for their comments. curious with the American Rescue Act funds that additionally will help with the budget, he hopes it does. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that property assessments do not adjust for inflation so in the long run a millage increase will have to happen sometime in the future but he does not feel this is the time for a millage increase since there are still a lot of people hurting financially due to the pandemic. Continued on page 2 The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for final approval of the items that were reviewed. The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m. There was no public comment. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes of the October 13, 2021 meeting. The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute Change Order #GC-108 from Lobar, Inc. to provide door closers on doors to the Judges secure parking for the Judicial Center project for an additional cost of $1,094.31. The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Application to PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency to request funds from the 2021 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Grant requesting an amount of $200,000.00. The primary purpose of this program is to support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavior Treatment (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports MAT, which combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders. The Board reviewed Human Services Administration matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the County of Franklin and Contact Helpline to provide PA 211 services at a cost of $6,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Franklin and Centre County Correctional Facility to house adult offenders over the age of 18 for both male and females based upon available cell space at a rate of $65.00 per inmate per day for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023. This facility is PREA certified and abides by all PA Title 37 regulations. Centre County reserves the right to accept offenders at their discretion. All medical expenses accrued will be solely the responsibility of the County of Franklin. The Board reviewed Public Defender matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Confidentiality Agreement between the County of Franklin and Justice Works, LLC to protect client information that is contained within the case management system of the Public Defender's Office from further disclosure by Justice Works. The data being provided by the Public Defender's Office to Justice Works is confidential in nature and, as such, a non-disclosure agreement as to any of that information is essential. The Board reviewed Tax Services matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to accept a bid made by Martin L. Weller, Jr. in the amount of $106.00 on the repository sale of a mobile home on property located at Lincoln Way East, Lot 2, in Greene Township. Continued on page 3 In accordance with PA Act notifications, C. S. Davidson, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General No. 11 Permit being applied by Washington Township Board of Supervisors for the Honodel Road Culvert Replacement located in Washington Township. The Board recognized Emily Hutton, Correctional Treatment Specialist at the Jail for receiving the ATHENA Young Professional Award. Ms. Gray explained that they are here to recognize the accomplishment of Emily Hutton for her dedication to the community and various efforts. The Chamber of Commerce recognized Emily and others at a recent event where they presented awards and Emily won the ATHENA Young Professional Award. Ms. Gray explained the chamber presents this award annually to an emerging Franklin County Leader under 40 years of age who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession and who serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally. Emily has been with the County for seven years. In her role, Emily works directly with inmates and must counsel individuals at some of the worst times in their lives when they may be feeling hopeless, helpless or suicidal. She handles these situations with compassion, empathy and grace and often goes above and beyond to help others. Ms. Gray said that she shadowed Emily during a class and she can personally attest to the empathy and grace she showed during her class. She continued that while working full time Emily earned to become a TARGET facilitator, helping individuals cope with trauma through group therapy. She is also a founding member of the Chambersburg Youth Aid Panel, a mentor and community service program for juveniles who have received charges for low- level offenses. Chairman Keller said the Warden and his team have kept the board apprised of the great work she has done so this is no surprise. They recognize the great work she does and the contribution she makes in the community. They are especially grateful for that. Commissioner Flannery said that he is President of the Prison Board and he gets a lot of complaints from families. He appreciates her empathy and grace as grateful for all she does and congratulates her on the award. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that she is a true way-finder for the lost and he is grateful for her. He congratulated her on the award. Ms. Hutton said it was very humbling to receive this award, it was not out Ms. Weller and also her mother who is a big support and who shares her love of social work. She also has support in the county like SCCAP and House of Hope who help out as a community resource. She thanked the Board for their kind words. Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, Morgan Yiengst, Human Resources Coordinator and Hailey Paul, Human Resources Coordinator provided an update on the 2022 Dental and Vision Benefits. Ms. Bloyer explained the first benefit change she is recommending is to change the dental carrier to United Concordia. It would be the same plan coverage but it would be a reduction in premiums. The second benefit change would be to move the vision plan to self-funded which would be a reduction in premiums th by 6%. She and her team are preparing for open enrollment to start on November 4. Chairman Keller asked if there would be any disruption in services and Ms. Bloyer with United Concordia. She said that United Concordia is in partnership with Highmark Blue Shield. The Board is in agreement with the changes. The Board recessed and will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. for review of 2021 bond bids, award 2021 obligation bonds and adoption of an ordinance. The Board reconvened at 6:31 p.m. Continued on page 4 John Frey of PFM Financial Advisors, LLC presented the results of the bonds auction related to the Court Facilities Improvement Project. Mr. Frey reviewed the financing plan as discussed last month. The auction yielded great results with payments and interest rates lower than expected. Mr. Frey reviewed current and historic municipal bond rates and their effect on inflation. Four firms bid on the County's bonds. KeyBanc Capital Markets had the winning bid with a yield of 1.42% and total payments of $9,608,850.00 on a principal amount of $6,720,000.00. The bonds were sold at a premium, which will provide approximately $7,074,000 in proceeds to be used toward the project. Settlement for the bonds will be December 1, 2021. Mr. Frey provided the Commissioners with a debt summary report and credit rating report. Standard & Poors assigned a rating of 'AA' to this bond issue, in addition to affirming the rating on the County's existing general obligation debt. Commissioner Keller commented that the credit rating is not only based on County debts, but also the demographics of the County. An ordinance was presented by Sean Frederick, Esq, bond counsel of Barley Snyder LLP that will allow the County to incur the debt. The ordinance does not include any additional provisions and allows the funding to be used for any capital projects. Once adopted, it will be advertised. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the ordinance. The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. with a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski